Open Thread, Vikings @ Lions

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 8:57 AM CDT in Game Threads

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th+OT	F
Vikings	0	7	10	0	17
Lions	0	10	7	3	20

Just after 3 PM Central time this afternoon, these two teams will kick off what's shaping up to be one of the more interesting Vikings/Lions matchups in some time. Both teams looked relatively impressive in victory last week, but they're hearing from every corner that it didn't mean very much because of the opponent they played. The Lions put up 36 points on a pretty good Oakland defense (although they did trail going into the 4th quarter), and the Vikings thoroughly dominated the Vick-less (and defense-less) Atlanta Falcons. By the time this game is over, one of these two teams will probably get the label of being "better than people originally thought," while the other will continue being dismissed by the "experts" everywhere.

Obviously, the matchup of the Vikings' defense and the Lions' offense is highly intriguing. From reading various previews around the Internet, it seems that people expect that Jon Kitna will have no trouble repeating his performance against the Raiders (27/36, 289 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) against the beloved Purple. However, in 2006 when the Vikings allegedly had the worst pass defense in the NFL. . .something that we've disproven here on numerous occasions. . .here were his combined numbers in two games against Minnesota:

51/83, 519 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT, 1 rush TD, 2 fumbles lost

That's 8 Kitna turnovers in 2 games (4 in each one). Throw in the fact that the Vikings had 30 sacks in all of 2006. . .but they managed to get Jon Kitna 8 times. I, frankly, think that Kitna has a better chance of repeating his 2006 performances against Minnesota than he does of repeating his performance from last week. Detroit's offensive line still isn't very good, and they present absolutely no running threat to the Vikings at all. Of course, you can say that about pretty much every team in the NFL, but it's especially true in Detroit's case. I would expect to see numerous Minnesota defensive linemen getting up close and personal with Mr. Kitna this afternoon.

When possession changes, I think the Lions are going to see more of a certain #28 than they have any desire to see. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, it's looking more likely that Chester Taylor will not suit up this afternoon. I'm guessing that this means Mewelde Moore will be on the active roster this week, but make no mistake. . .this is going to be Episode 2 in the first season of the Adrian Peterson show, and I'd expect that it will be even more successful than the pilot episode. However, there's a pretty good chance that this game could be a coming out party of sorts for Tarvaris Jackson, too. Detroit's secondary is relatively atrocious (Fernando Bryant as a #1 CB? Really? Seriously?), and while the Lions will be putting 8 and 9 defenders in the box in a foolish attempt to counteract Purple Jesus, the Vikings' WRs will be getting open against said atrocious secondary. If Jackson shows the kind of composure he showed in the face of pressure against Atlanta last week, the yards (and, hopefully, touchdowns) will be there for the taking.

There's a part of me that also agrees with something that Pacifist Viking put on his site on Friday:

I really can't believe that the Vikings can lose to the Lions until I see it happen again (which it will someday, right? The Vikes can't beat this team every single time they play for the rest of my life, can they?).

I have exactly the same sentiment at this point. These are the Detroit Lions. . .a team that the Vikings have beaten 10 straight times, 13 of the last 14, and 16 of the last 18. Minnesota's all-time record against the Motor City Kitties is 60-29-2. The Lions have added more talent and this and that and the other and yadda yadda yadda. I'll believe it when I see it. . .and until I see it, these are still the Detroit Lions we're talking about.

Gonzo's Final Score Prediction: Vikings 24, Lions 17

Enjoy your Sunday, folks, and don't forget to throw some comments into the thread here. . .the more participation from everyone, the better!

0 recs | Comment 54 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Format Correction

Doing this to make sure the comments are on "Auto Format" rather than "HTML Formatted."

For the Detroit side of this one, feel free to visit our division rivals over at Pride of Detroit.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 8:59 AM CDT 0 recs

Inactives for Today's Game

Minnesota

RB Chester Taylor
S Mike Doss
DT Fred Evans
TE Garrett Mills
DE Erasmus James
OT Chase Johnson
FB Tony Richardson

Detroit

DE Ikaika Alama-Francis
LB Anthony Cannon
DE Jared DeVries
RB T.J. Duckett
RB Kevin Jones
OG Stephen Peterman
OG Manny Ramirez

Mewelde Moore is Adrian Peterson's backup today.

Jeff Dugan will start at FB in place of Tony Richardson.

The Vikings also have 5 WRs active today. . .Allison, Ferguson, Rice, Wade, and Williamson.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 2:46 PM CDT 0 recs

Vikings get the ball first

And Williamson almost kills himself on the return, having the ball bounce off his knee before he fields it.

1st and 10, Vikings, from the 21.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:07 PM CDT 0 recs

Vikings driving

Very nice drive being put together by the Vikings here. They're down to the Detroit 34-yard line.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:11 PM CDT 0 recs

And that stops the drive

Bad throw by Jackson results in a tipped ball and an interception by DE Shaun Cody. Jackson would have been better off just pulling that one down and running with it. Oh, well.

1st and 10, Lions, from their own 20. 9:22 left in the first quarter.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:14 PM CDT 0 recs

Lions driving

They've moved the ball down to the Minnesota 11-yard line.

The Lions have been going no-huddle thus far.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:18 PM CDT 0 recs

Make it the 10

Because they're showing 2nd and goal for Detroit.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

INTERCEPTED!

And Jon Kitna proves that he is still, indeed, Jon Kitna as he throws one directly to #42 in purple and white to end the Lions' scoring threat.

1st and 10, Vikings, from their own 20 when we get back. 6:35 left in the first quarter.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:20 PM CDT 0 recs

More proof that that's still Jon Kitna

Lions move down to the Minnesota 28, put themselves at 3rd and 1. . .and Kitna proceeds to lose 16 yards to take the Lions out of field goal range.

Still scoreless with 22 seconds left in the first quarter. Vikings have 1st and 10 from their own 13.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:39 PM CDT 0 recs

Another Jackson INT

Jackson going deep down the left side for Ferguson, and has it picked off by Keith Smith. Smith returns the ball to the Minnesota 39.

Man, I do NOT like the way this football game is going so far.

1st and 10, Detroit, from the Minnesota 39 when we come back from commercial.

0-0, 14:48 left until halftime.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:46 PM CDT 0 recs

Re-spot of the return

Turns out Smith WAS down by contact after the pick, moving the ball back to the Detroit 48-yard line.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Touchdown, Lions

9-yard pass from Kitna to Roy Williams for the score.

Jason Hanson tacks on the extra point to make it 7-0, Lions with 11:09 left until halftime.

Scoring drive went 51 yards in 6 plays and took 3:39 off the clock.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:53 PM CDT 0 recs

Great return by Williamson!

Gets it across midfield to the Detroit 43. Great job by #82.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:58 PM CDT 0 recs

TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!

Vikings answer with a TD drive of their own, featuring some smart play by Tarvaris Jackson getting the team up to the line after a pass to Ferguson that should have been ruled an incompletion.

Jackson completed the drive with a 1-yard run.

Drive went 43 yards in 7 plays and took 2:44 off the clock.

7-7, 8:25 left until halftime.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:04 PM CDT 0 recs

J.T. O'Sullivan in at QB for Detroit

Kitna on the sideline with a concussion. . .his return is questionable.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:08 PM CDT 0 recs

Lions forced to punt

Good pressure from the front 4 on third down.

1st and 10, Vikings, from their own 13.

7-7, 5:08 left until halftime.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:13 PM CDT 0 recs

I don't understand

We get to third and short, and we keep feeling compelled to pass the football, despite having AP back there to hand it to and slam ahead for the 2-3 necessary yards.

I don't get it.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:18 PM CDT 0 recs

Two-minute warning

The Lions are going to have a 3rd and 1 from the 16 when we get back from commercial.

7-7 tie with 2 minutes left until halftime.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:19 PM CDT 0 recs

Lions settle for 3

Hanson knocks through a 30-yard attempt to give the Lions a 10-7 lead.

Drive moved 55 yards in 8 plays and took 2:24 to accomplish.

1:06 left until halftime.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:26 PM CDT 0 recs

And that's halftime

With the Lions leading 10-7.

Eh, the Lions were up 17-3 going into the 4th quarter at the Dome last year and Minnesota wound up winning, so I'm not terribly worried yet. If the penalties and other assorted crap keep up the way it has been, it's going to be hard to get anything going.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:37 PM CDT 0 recs

Third quarter kicking off

We'll have to see if Kitna comes out for the 3rd quarter or if the Lions stick with J.T. O'Sullivan.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:49 PM CDT 0 recs

INTERCEPTED!

Another one from Darren Sharper on a deep ball attempt by O'Sullivan to Calvin Johnson.

That gives the Vikings 1st and 10 on their own 30.

10-7, Lions, 13:42 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:53 PM CDT 0 recs

Jackson's third INT

Damn it to hell.

Jackson trying to go deep. . .might have gotten hit. . .but it ends up in the hands of Gerald Alexander. Alexander brings it back to the Detroit 30.

Crap.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:56 PM CDT 0 recs

For some reason

It appears as though we've totally given up on running the football. I really, REALLY don't understand why the hell this is.

If we start off the next drive with a pass, I might just scream.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:57 PM CDT 0 recs

Lions get a gift

Lions don't convert a 3rd and 22, but a BS late hit call on Spencer Johnson gives Detroit new life.

For crying out loud, what a terrible call.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:59 PM CDT 0 recs

Touchdown, Lions

And the Lions convert the turnover into 6 points, as O'Sullivan hits Calvin Johnson on a 7-yard TD pass.

Scoring drive covered 31 yards in 7 plays, taking 3:23 to accomplish.

Lions 17, Vikings 7, 10:06 left in the third quarter.

There's a lot of time left, but I'm starting to get an even worse feeling here.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:03 PM CDT 0 recs

Allison back returning kicks now

And he breaks another huge return, getting the ball out to the Lions' 41-yard line.

We really, REALLY need to score on this drive. . .and we really, REALLY need to see more of Adrian Peterson.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:05 PM CDT 0 recs

Vikings make it a one-score game

Longwell knocks through a 32-yard field goal, thanks in no small part to Ryan Cook and Artis Hicks getting killified on an attempted end-around by Bobby Wade.

Vikings' scoring drive moved 27 yards in 8 plays and took an even 4 minutes to accomplish.

Lions 17, Vikings 10 with 5:57 left in the third quarter.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:13 PM CDT 0 recs

TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!

Pat Williams crushes O'Sullivan before he can hand the ball off, and Ray Edwards pounces on it for a TOUCHDOWN!

9 yards on the return for Edwards, and Longwell knocks home the extra point to make it 17-17.

Ladies and gentlemen, I think I might have just felt the momentum shift.

17-17 tie, 5:08 left in the third quarter.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:18 PM CDT 0 recs

Small correction

That might have been Kevin Williams. . .I thought it was #94, but NFL.com is showing #93.

Either way, I love me some Williams boys.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yep, it was KW

That's why he's the best defensive tackle in football, ladies and gentlemen.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

INTERCEPTION!!

And Dwight Smith wants to get into the act, as he picks off a deep attempt by O'Sullivan for Roy Williams.

They might have to review this one to see if Smith came down in bounds. If it gets reversed, the Lions will have 4th and 11 and will probably bring in the FG unit.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:27 PM CDT 0 recs

Play stands

It's an INT by Smith. Knee got down before his elbow did. Good call.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Interesting stat from Fox

The Lions have lost 58 straight games where they've lost the turnover battle.

Currently, they're -1.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

And we're through 3

17-17 tie as we head to the 4th quarter.

Minnesota has 3rd and 1 deep in their own territory when we come back. I don't have the exact distance, because NFL.com's GameCenter seems to have shut down for whatever reason.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Trading punts

Still tied at 17 with 11:15 left on the clock.

The defense is REALLY starting to get after J.T. O'Sullivan right now.

I hate seeing injuries happen to anybody, but I'm happy that it's O'Sullivan back there and not Kitna at this point.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:42 PM CDT 0 recs

Jackson's FOURTH INT

Man alive. Terrible throw by Jackson. Didn't even get it very far downfield.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:49 PM CDT 0 recs

Kitna back in at QB

Uh-oh.

The turnover battle is even. . .things are NOT looking up.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:49 PM CDT 0 recs

VIKINGS BALL!

The Lions 5th turnover on the day comes on a Roy Williams fumble.

Forced by Sharper, recovered by Winfield.

1st and 10, Vikings, at their own 19.

6:45 left in the game, tied at 17.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:53 PM CDT 0 recs

Clock ticking down

3:09 left in the game as Kluwe puts one into the end zone for a touchback.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:59 PM CDT 0 recs

Two-minute warning

The Lions have moved the ball down to the Minnesota 44-yard line.

17-17 when we come back from commercial, 1st and 10 for Detroit.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:02 PM CDT 0 recs

Hanson MISSES THE FIELD GOAL!!

48-yard attempt for Jason Hanson sails wide right, and the game stays tied.

Vikings now take over on their own 38-yard line with :45 left and no time outs.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Now Longwell on to attempt the field goal

Gonna be a 52-yard attempt. . .

And he HIT THE UPRIGHT. . .NO GOOD!!

Son of a bitch. . .looks like we're going to OT.

Longwell had plenty of distance, but drew it too far back.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:16 PM CDT 0 recs

Overtime coin toss

Vikings win the toss and elect to take the football.

Man. . .we sure could use another one of those big returns like we got earlier.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:18 PM CDT 0 recs

Jackson hobbling

Looks like he might be heading for the sidelines.

Into the game comes. . .Brooks Bollinger.

Oh, shit.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:21 PM CDT 0 recs

Vikings matriculating the ball downfield

They've moved it to the Detroit 48.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:24 PM CDT 0 recs

Bollinger fumbles the snap

And the Lions recover at midfield.

That's the 10th turnover of the game. . .5 for each team.

Lions' ball at midfield, 11:35 left in OT.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:27 PM CDT 0 recs

More turnovers

This game is beyond ugly at this point.

by Sean Yuille on Sep 16, 2007 6:27 PM CDT 0 recs

Big run by Brian Calhoun

And it looks like this one's over.

Hanson on to kick the FG. It's going to be about a 36-yard attempt.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:30 PM CDT 0 recs

Game over

The Lions snap their 10-game losing streak to the Minnesota Vikings.

Lions 20, Vikings 17.

What a terrible, ugly football game.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:30 PM CDT 0 recs

What a game

Can't get any uglier than that

by Sean Yuille on Sep 16, 2007 6:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Silver Lining

At least there shouldn't be a QB controversy. Good learning experience for T-Jack.

But to think I wasted a perfectly good Chimay on this game...

by Rev Vike on Sep 16, 2007 6:36 PM CDT 0 recs

Jackson Stinks

No QB Controversy?

Jackson was terrible. Seriously, he's been Ryan Leaf bad. The Vikes would have won that game if they had Kelly Holcomb at QB.

Their biggest problem last year was turnovers from the QB. So far that looks to be the same this year. 5 in 2 games. And last week's game almost doesn't count because the Vikes won against probably the league's worst team and never had to get to the Red Zone (a first in NFL history for both teams)

by MadTownVikesFan on Sep 16, 2007 7:27 PM CDT 0 recs